South Africa Employment Rate (2025)
South Africa's Employment Rate: 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025, unchanged YoY. World Bank (SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS), 1991–2025.
South Africa (2025)
37.6
% of total population ages 15+
unchanged YoY
YoY Change
unchanged
percentage points
Trend
neutral
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | % of total population ages 15+ | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37.6 | unchanged |
| 2024 | 37.6 | +0.2pp |
| 2023 | 37.4 | +1.7pp |
| 2022 | 35.7 | +1.4pp |
| 2021 | 34.3 | -1.5pp |
| 2020 | 35.8 | -3.7pp |
| 2019 | 39.5 | -0.8pp |
| 2018 | 40.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2017 | 40.4 | +0.2pp |
| 2016 | 40.2 | -0.7pp |
| 2015 | 40.9 | +0.9pp |
| 2014 | 40 | unchanged |
| 2013 | 40 | +0.5pp |
| 2012 | 39.5 | +0.2pp |
| 2011 | 39.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2010 | 39.4 | -1.9pp |
| 2009 | 41.3 | -2pp |
| 2008 | 43.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2007 | 43.4 | -0.1pp |
| 2006 | 43.5 | unchanged |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025. That is unchanged on the previous period. Across 1991–2025 the series ranges from 34.3 % of total population ages 15+ in 2021 to 45 % of total population ages 15+ in 1996.
This page tracks the employment-to-population ratio in South Africa (share of 15+ population employed).
Data sourced from World Bank via Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology intended for cross-country comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page tracks the employment-to-population ratio in South Africa (share of 15+ population employed). It is published by World Bank and updated annually.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1991–2025 (35 observations).
The series peaked at 45 % of total population ages 15+ in 1996 and reached its lowest recorded value of 34.3 % of total population ages 15+ in 2021. The latest reading is 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025. That is unchanged on the previous period.